As 9th Circuit Hears Appeal, LAX Protests Continue to Decry the So-called "Muslim Travel Ban"

Sat, Feb 4th at Los Angeles International Airport, opponents and backers of President Trump's travel ban exercised their first amendment rights flanked by a team of LA's finest.

Even though Federal Judge Robart temporarily suspended the President's executive order banning people from seven majority Muslim countries from entering the US, protesters in Los Angeles , among other cities across the United states, took to the streets for a second weekend in a row to protest Trump's travel ban.

The opponents to the President's executive order who occupied LAX, held signs with slogans such as as "Jews against Islamaphobia and racism," and refuseracism, # nofascists USA.

A sign with the words, "This is what Trump's America looks like" was hoisted above a Muslim woman whose head was covered in a hijab, with red arrows pointing down at the woman.

Although The protesters at LAX last Saturday represented an America divided between supporters and opponents of President Trump's Muslim ban, there was also a manifestation of solidary, as the protesters against the ban rallied behind a message of unity, not only against the Muslim ban, but also, against the building of Trump's "great wall," Islamaphobia Xenophobia, and much of the rhetoric that characterized Donald Trump's campaign.

The demonstrators opposing the travel ban, represented a microcosm of multi -cultural Los Angeles including Latinos, Jews, Muslims and others.

One of the protesters, a Muslim woman, Irfana Hashmi, Assistant Professor of religious studies explained why she was there.

"I am protesting this ban, which is a Muslim ban. I'm part of resistance movement. I marched at the woman's march too. I am down with the Muslim ban and also the wall. I'm in solidarity with many many of the groups that Trump is marginalizing. This is a solution to a fake problem. We have to fix all of the things that are hurting us. "

She also stated that there is no data that shows intel that the ban would make America safe. "None of the seven countries produce viable risk. The chance a refugee kills an American on American soil is almost zero chance."

Ms. Hashmi said this ban is a false sense security. A scapegoating. And she said, it was in fact a Muslim ban. "Even Guiliani came out and said Trump wanted to know how to do the Muslim ban and make it legal."

Hours before dozens of protesters arrived at LAX to oppose the President's travel ban, Trump, in his inimitable way, tweeted his response to Fed Judge Robart's temporary nationwide halt of Mr. Trump's travel ban, which was issued Friday, Feb 3rd

The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!

Feb 5th, the day after the protest at LAX, after the U.S. Court of Appeals denies Justice Department emergency motion to put Judge Robart's ruling on hold, Mr. Trump tweets again:

the judge opens up our country to potential terrorists and others that do not have our best interests at heart. Bad people are very happy!

The same Saturday the protests came to LAX and at various other cities across the country, the State Department announced the revocation of the visas would be reversed for foreign travelers, since Judge Robart hit the pause button on Trump's executive order nationwide.

According to NBC news, "early Sunday, the 9th circuit court of Appeals denied the Justice Department's request to immediately reinstate Trump's immigration directive"

The protesters were firm in their belief that people should be free to flow through our borders safely, and that these travel restrictions are not humane.

An Amicus brief from 16 state attorney generals reflected the protesters' belief. The attorneys argued that the executive order "harmed residents, businesses and universities and was unconstitutional"

Former state officials, including former Secretary of State, John F Kerry, argued in a declaration, that the Trump executive order to ban Muslims "could do long-term damage to our national security and foreign policy interests, endangering U.S. troops in the field and disrupting counter terrorism and national security partnerships."

On Tuesday, Feb 7th, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the challenge to Trump's executive order banning travelers from seven majority Muslim countries.